CRIMINAL POPULATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15663, 17 July 1914, Page 8

CRIMINAL POPULATION.

PRISON ADMINISTRATION.

SATISFACTORY RECORD.

[by telegraph.—special

Wellington, Thursday. The report of the Prisons Department was presented to Parliament to-day. It shows that there was an increase in the number of prisoners received during the year, but this was due to the abnormal conditions prt railing during a portion of tho year and not to a general increase of crime. The work of providing for more up-to-date prison buildings has progressed steadily, and additions at Auckland and Invercargill have been completed. Further additions to these prisons are in hand. A number of improvements in the more unsuitable buildings, notably at Lyttelton, where the removal of the femalo prisoners to Addington has enabled the female wing to be converted for the use of prisoners sentenced to reformative treatment, and tho separation of prisoners awaiting trial and debtors, have been carried out. This is a distinct improvement on tho conditions hitherto prevailing. . At Waikeria the work of erecting the now buildings is well in hand and the first section should be completed in about 12 months' time. At no time in the history of prison administration in the Dominion has the profitable employment of prisoners been so great as at the present time. The prisoners at the tree-planting camps are doing work which will ultimately be of great value to the community, Its value from a reformative point of view is recognised.

There is, however, a large proportion of prisoners who are continually in and out of prison on short sentences, for whom it will always be difficult to find profitable employment. Li time, however, something may bo done even for these. "It is from the prison farms," says the Under-Secretary, "that the best results may be expected and, properly directed and carried on these institutions will, without doubt, bocomo more than self-supporting and will relievo the community of a largo portion of the cost of maintenance of prisoners."